Superman and the Phantom Zone villain team-up against the deadly Vrangs in Action 549 (Nov. 83).

Bates, Saviuk, Colletta and Marcos do not start this issue off like a team-up, though. Faora begins by kidnapping Lois Lane.

Curiously, that was done not only to attract Superman’s attention, but to convince him that Zod and Faora mean him no harm. They inform Superman about the Vrangs finding Argo City, and coming for Earth. In the extremely distant past, as related in a “World of Krypton” tale from the 70s, the Vrangs had been the alien overlords of Krypton, until overthrown by Val-Lor. The Vrangs have come seeking vengeance.

The piece of jewel kryptonite, able to focus and empower the thoughts of the Phantom Zone villains, turns out to be the perfect bomb.

While Superman is still on the Vrang ship, Zod and Faora set off the kryptonite,even though its destruction will force them back into the Zone. This way, they can get rid of the Vrangs and Superman at once. Except Superman sees what they are up to, and gets off the ship on time.